Ethnic Groups And Discrimination In American History

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Most European emigrants left their homelands to escape political oppression, to seek the freedom to practice their religion, or to find opportunities denied them at home. Between 1620 and 1635, economic difficulties swept England. Many people could not find work it was getting harder to support their families. ( North American History)

My ancestors were among the many boats that traveled from England to America in 1630, Anthony Emery was the first of our namesake to settle in America, behind him followed James who settled in Boston, Francis settled in Salem, and in 1638, Andrew Emery settled in Virginia. (House of Name) Many English settlers brought over diseases, smallpox and measles, killing many of the English settlers and many of the Native Americans. The natives would not touch or talk to the English afraid of catching a disease. That did not stop the disease from spreading among many different cultures. (History of North America)

At the same time that Europeans came to America so did the Chinese, Italians, and Other various countries. Europeans where known for bringing Africans over to America. The Africans were sold as slaves to the highest bidder. With this came misunderstanding and hate towards other people that where different. Europeans saw any other person who was not one of their cultures as less than human, or without intelligence. (History of North America)

The Dual labor market is what separates the upper class and the lower class in their place for employment. (Chapter 1) The upper class people are able to work higher up in a company and do easier jobs for more money, whereas lower class people are doing the hard work for lesser pay. Many of the lower class people may not offered insurance or future plans to house money for the time that they retire. Typically the white man, who originated from Europe, have been able to have the better paying jobs, while the minorities do all the dirty work for less.

Environmental justice issues rise every day. Many low class people build homes in dangerous areas because they are unable to afford to live anywhere else suitable for them. Europeans made slaves live in shacks and sleep on cots or in some cases sleep on the ground.

Affirmative action was first introduced, by President Kennedy in 1961 as a way to address discrimination. (Affirmative Action History) Affirmative action policies ensure that blacks and other minorities are able to receive the same treatment in jobs or school just as the whites are able too.

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